Former England Rugby International and Harlequins legend, Ugo Monye, has been announced as a Gallagher brand ambassador on the eve of the insurance broker’s second season as Proud Title Partner of Premiership Rugby.
Boasting an impressive playing career – including 237 caps for Premiership side Harlequins, 14 for England and two for the British and Irish Lions – Monye will now wear the Gallagher shirt to help amplify the work the insurance broker is doing to champion inclusivity in grassroots rugby and within rugby communities across the UK.
Monye’s role will include supporting Gallagher’s partnership with Project Rugby; a Premiership Rugby and England Rugby initiative designed to increase participation in the game for those from traditionally underrepresented groups. To date, over 35,000 participants from low socio-economic backgrounds, BAME individuals and those with disabilities have benefited from the programme and by the end of 2020, Gallagher, alongside partners Premiership Rugby and England Rugby, wants to increase that number to 55,000.
Chris Mead, Chief Marketing Officer for Gallagher, commented:
“At Gallagher, our aim is to help individuals and businesses face their future with confidence, regardless of who they are, what they do and where they started their journey. Ugo’s commitment to making the game as inclusive as possible mirrors our own and makes him a fitting ambassador for Gallagher as we enter our second season as Title Partner of Premiership Rugby. As one of rugby union’s most recognisable faces, his credentials will help us in our mission to make a lasting difference to the sport at all levels of the game.”
Monye commented:
“The confidence rugby can give to young people has moulded me into the person I am today, which is why I’ve been so impressed by the work Gallagher has been doing to reward and champion those individuals and clubs that are making a real difference within their local rugby communities. It shouldn’t matter what you look like, your background, your religion, your race, your gender – sport and rugby eclipse all of those things. The team at Gallagher absolutely gets that and I am really looking forward to working with them to encourage more young people to play the game and to achieve this year’s ambition of getting 20,000 new Project Rugby participants by the end of 2020.”
Monye’s first appointment as a Gallagher brand ambassador sees him feature in a short film alongside Danielle ‘Nolli’ Waterman, a Gallagher ambassador since March 2019. The two rugby icons look back at their own personal journeys, acknowledging how the sport shaped their lives and describing how they are preparing to support those coming into the game in the future.
With help from Monye and Waterman, Gallagher will build on its involvement with local community teams and grassroots rugby clubs throughout the 2019/20 season.
To watch the full film and find out more about Gallagher’s involvement in rugby, visit www.ajg.com/rugby
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About Gallagher:
Gallagher is the brand name of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) — the global insurance broker, risk management services and consulting firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
In the UK, Gallagher has more than 4,500 employees specialising in risk management and insurance solutions for corporate, commercial and personal customers. Through a regional UK network of customer-focused branches in more than 50 locations, and its specialty London market operations, Gallagher offers tailored insurance programmes and coverage for both UK and international clients. It is dedicated to providing local service and support to businesses, backed up by national industry specialism and global reach.
With operations in 48 countries, Gallagher offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.
For further information, please visit www.ajg.com/uk
About Project Rugby:
Project Rugby is a joint initiative between Premiership Rugby and England Rugby designed to increase participation in the game from traditionally under-represented groups, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority (BAME) communities and disabled people.
In March 2019 Gallagher announced its partnership with Project Rugby, bolstering the community insurance broker’s commitment to support not only the professional game, but also at a grassroots level across the country.